Fleas and the "Tickle Effect"

[Southern28Chick]

I went to the vet today and spent $140.00 on meds for my 6 cats to get rid of their fleas.

They gave me 6 Capstar pills...1 for each cat, and 6 month supply of Frontline...which is really a 1 month suppy for 6 cats.

I got home and brought all the cats in. Gave them each a Capstar pill and put the Frontline on their necks.

30 mintues later my house was a mad house. The Capstar pill kills fleas in minutes but can take up to 6 hours to kill all the adult fleas. 2 of my cats were running all around, hollering, panting, breathing hard and doing laps around the house.

I called the manufacturer of the pill I was so freaked out. They said that as the fleas die they wiggle around and cause the cats skin to get tickled. They called my cat's reaction to the pill the "Tickle Effect".

It's crazy how that pill works. You can see the dead fleas just falling off the cat. It's really quite nasty.

No more fleas!!!!

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

That's weird!! I've used it on my dog before....never noticed anything except he quits itching!!!

 

[buckbeak]

Out of curiosity- would dusting the cats with DE have the same effect? Or at least get rid of the fleas?

 

[Southern28Chick]

Out of curiosity- would dusting the cats with DE have the same effect? Or at least get rid of the fleas?

This Capstar stuff is the ONLY thing that has ever worked on my cats.

That's weird!! I've used it on my dog before....never noticed anything except he quits itching!!!

When I called the manufacturer they said it has different affects on different animals.

I have 6 cats and only 2 of them had the "tickle effect".​

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

Interesting.....Oh well.....the point is...it WORKS!!!

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Buckbeak,

Yes, you can use food grade DE (scroll down to External Applications for Dogs & Cats) for fleas, you have to be diligent about using it though. The food grade DE takes up to 72 hours to kill adult fleas, it's the unhatched larva that is hard to keep up with. Hope this helps.

 

[ruth]

Hey Trisha - glad you got something for your flea problem but you really should have tried getting one large tube of Frontline for the ex-large dog and it would have worked for all 6 cats. I know others advised against it but I've been using it for many years.

Wanted to add - I always put them outside when I treat them. Fleas jumping off in your house will add to the problem. Always put them out when giving them flea pills and/or applyling flea treatments of any type.

 

[nccatnip]

Next time, save yourself some $$$$. You can get the Frontline from TSC and order the Capstar online. I paid my vet $15 for one dose on one dog, by ordering online I got 6 doses for the same amount.
I do split out the frontline for the dogs, but would never feel comfortable giving dog formula to cats.
You will need to treat montly for awhile until you break the cycle. And do the dogs, too.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
I am going to order online from now on. I just bought it from the vet today because my DH was in a pissy mood because he found a flea on his arm this morning. I'll pay whatever I have to to keep him out of a bad mood.

He's so annoying when his ticked about something...he just won't shut up.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Men are like that Trisha, there like a mean ole dog with a bone, snarling and growling till you want to pick up a frying pan and pop em one to get them to SHUT UP.